KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (9-7, 2-5 LSC) topped Eastern New Mexico University (7-11, 1-7 LSC), 72-64 on Thursday night, winning their second consecutive game at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center.

Although the Javelinas concluded the game with the higher field goal percentage, both clubs were close in their shooting percentages throughout the game. The difference in the game was the Hogs pesky defense that forced a season-high of 24 turnovers that converted into 25 points. Duan Wright matched his career-high of 23 points and shot 9-of-10 from the charity stripe to lead all scorers. Elliot Taylor followed by achieving his second double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-best 11 rebounds. Taylor also led the team with four steals marking another career-high. Derrick Byrd finished the game with eight points and a team-high five assists, Caelan Neal scored seven points and Marcus Frazier had six points. 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Duan Wright, 23
Rebounds: Elliot Taylor, 11
Assists: Derrick Byrd, 5
Steals: Elliot Taylor, 4
Blocks: Robert Stevenson, 2

Eastern New Mexico
Points: Joe Clarke, 17
Rebounds: Arcaim Lallemand, 8
Assists: Two players with two assists
Steals: Chris Wyms, 3
Blocks: Four players with one block

1st Half
Eastern New Mexico struck first, but both teams traded baskets up to the first media timeout with Texas A&M-Kingsville leading 9-8. The Hogs went on a 6-2 run following the timeout after capitalizing on five Greyhound turnovers. Later in the half, the Hogs possessed a 22-14 lead with nine minutes on the clock. ENMU scored five unanswered points, but their run was brought to a halt after a three that hit the bottom of the net from Marcus Frazier. The Javelinas played strong throughout the remainder of the half and entered intermission leading 35-28 thanks to 16 forced turnovers that transitioned into 17 points.

A multitude of players contributed to the Javelinas scoring in the first half. Wright led all scorers with eight points, followed by Taylor's seven points. Christian Bambrook scored five points, Derrick Byrd and Robert Stevenson had four points each and Justin Jones and Frazier split six points evenly. 

2nd Half
The Blue and Gold jumped out to a 10-4 run to begin the chippy half as 20 fouls were called by the 11:38 mark. Over the next six minutes, the Greyhounds picked up the pace and cut the lead to one, 56-55, after a triple from Joe Clarke with 5:20 on the clock. Tensions ran high as the Hounds tried to grab its first lead since the early stages of the game, However a late run by the Javs that included  a layup from Wright with 45 seconds left to play sealed the deal as A&M-Kingsville went on to continue its home winning streak after a 72-64 victory. Wright scored 15 of the Javelinas 37 points in the second half to hold off the Hounds who scored 36 points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Javelinas was beat on the glass 23-19 in the first half, but had the advantage on the offensive boards, 13-9.
• TAMUK outscored ENMU 17-2 in second chance points, 20-8 in the paint and 15-12 from the bench in the first half.
• TAMUK outscored ENMU in the paint by 20 points, 42-22.
• The Greyhounds outscored the Hogs 31-23 from the bench.
• Eastern New Mexico entered tonight's game averaging nine steals per game. They had only one steal in the first half and seven steals overall.
• The Greyhounds six total assists matches an opponents season-low against the Hogs (Tarleton State, 1/7/17).
• The Hogs improve to 5-0 at home when leading at halftime and 6-1 at home when scoring 70-plus points.
• Both clubs combined for 41 free throws in the second half alone.
• Wright scored 23 points earlier this season against South Dakota Mines.

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…the challenges to coaching when the game is slowed down do to foul calls.…

"It becomes more of a chess game. Both teams were really competing and playing hard which is a tribute to this league. Nobody wanted to lose but someone had to so it really just comes down to who makes the most plays and that's what we did tonight."

…the play from Duan Wright.…

"Wright is a key to what we do. He's getting healthier and he's the leader. We had to sit him down a little last week to nurse injuries but I am glad that he came out and responded the way he did. 

…the teams defense and forcing turnovers.…

"I thought we scouted these guys very well and teams are really shocked when they see how well we can guard. That makes them have to adjust."

…the sixth man being the crowd.…

"What a great crowd tonight. I believe that if we can continue to fill the gym like tonight cheering our team on, it will give us a real home-court advantage." 

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 72, Eastern New Mexico 64
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (9-7, 2-5 LSC), Eastern New Mexico (7-11, 1-7 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 44-26 against Eastern New Mexico
Location: The SPEC Kingsville, Texas
Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.

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